New Long-term Care Facility in Cobequid

The residents of the Cobequid region are one step closer to seeing a new multi-service continuing care facility open in their community.

Today, Aug. 10, Health Minister Angus MacIsaac authorized Northwoodcare Incorporated, a Halifax-based long-term care provider, to purchase a site and move forward with the planning process.

"I am extremely pleased to see the plans for this facility move forward," said Mr. MacIsaac. "Northwood will provide a range of programs and services, based on the health and service needs of local seniors and input from residents, care providers, and other experts."

The facility will serve residents in the Bedford, Sackville, Fall River and Waverley areas. The number of seniors in these communities is expected to increase by 25 per cent over the next 10 years.

The Department of Health first established a working group in September 2004 to assess the needs of these communities and establish requirements for site selection. Community consultations took place in December 2004. Northwood will now lead the process of selecting a suitable site and developing a program plan.

"This is an exciting time for both Northwood and the Cobequid community," said Lloyd Brown, president and CEO of Northwoodcare Incorporated and Northwood Homecare Limited. "We look forward to working with the community to develop a plan that will address the many needs identified in the role study."

Approval has been given for a facility that can accommodate about 150 people in long-term care, palliative care, community outreach, and rehabilitative services. Northwood will look at innovative ways to deliver the range of programming and service options. Northwood's partners in the community and health system will be important in designing, operating and evaluating new programs and services.

"The community has said that transportation and caregiver support are also an important part of community outreach," said Mr. Brown. "We want to look at how we can participate in these areas."

Northwood will release its call for proposals for a 25-acre site in the Cobequid area this week. A selection committee will review all qualified submissions to ensure the site best meets the needs of the community and future clients. Northwood will announce the selected site in the fall.